A new wine bar is opening in Jericho.

Popina will open to customers for the first tome on Thursday, July 27 from 5pm.

The owner is local architect Paul Southouse who last year opened a cocktail bar in the same street called Lynrace Spirit.

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He said: "As an architect, I believe in the genius of place, and Jericho definitely has it.

"Our cocktail bar Lynrace Spirit was born out of my love for unusual spirits and the kind of conceptual design that freaks out corporate clients.

"Its success has encouraged me to explore my interest in wine and art at Popina.”

Popina by Lynrace is a wine and charcuterie bar inspired by the popinae of Ancient Rome, which served wine and simple food to slaves, freedmen, foreigners, and those of the ‘lower classes’.

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Mr Southouse said walking down Walton Street it is easy to forget that this was once a rough district that prospered in the late 18th century around the Oxford Canal and provided the workforce for the Oxford University Press.

Oxford Mail: New wine bar Popina

“We are excited to give our customers the chance to taste grape varieties that don’t make the cut to most wine lists,” said co-owner and general manager Joe Hutton.

“For example, if you are a Merlot drinker, our sommelier Péter Fekete can point you to a discovery wine with a similar flavour profile and suggest meat and cheese pairings that will surprise your palette.”

Lynrace is an Oxford-based luxury design and hospitality brand. Established in 2021 by the team behind Paul Southouse Architects RIBA with the launch of unique bar and venue Lynrace Spirit (103 Walton Street) in the heart of Oxford's historic Jericho district, it now includes Popina by Lynrace (67 Walton Street) and Lynrace Studio.

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The new wine bar is the latest new opening announced for Walton Street.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has announced it is to open a Sainsbury's Local store on the site of the former health centre on Thursday.

The arrival of Sainsbury's will spell competition for the Co-op, which has two stores in the street.

Oxford Mail: A Lynrace bar

A Sainsbury's spokesman said earlier: "We’re excited to be bringing a brand new Sainsbury’s Local to customers in the Jericho neighbourhood with our newest convenience store on the estate set to open next Thursday.

"Our new store team is looking forward to becoming part of the vibrant local community as we welcome local residents, workers and visitors to try out our new store on Walton Street.

"As well as creating new jobs for local people, our investment will provide more shopping choice to the area, bringing customers within easier reach of Sainsbury’s great value, high quality convenience products.”

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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